Brief outline of program or event:
Children´s author Shyamala Shanmugasundaram is co-organizing a one day conference on Indian children’s books to be held in February in Mumbai, India. Under the Kahani Tree: a place to promote reading and children books Here is her suggestion to promote reading among children:

Conduct a two-day neighborhood storybook reading festival by partnering with a neighborhood school or library to avoid the expenses involved in hiring a place and equipment. In this way you can reach out to a large number of children who love listening to stories. On the first day, a storyteller teaches the children the art of narrating stories- how to modulate voices for each character, high or low pitch, expressing feelings, etc. On the second day children take turns in reading out from their favourite storybooks. This helps to build self confidence and public speaking skills.

Prior to the day of the event, the organizers can arrange to bring talented resource people to the neighbourhood. Corporate companies can be given banner space and allowed to distribute promotional leaflets on the premises of the event in exchange of funds to hire the resource people.